The Regional Secretary for Science, Technology and Infrastructures conveyed, once again, his "surprise" concerning the lack of response of the National Government on the delay in the installation of optical fibre cable on Flores and Corvo.

José Contente questioned "how this process with secured financing has not advanced yet?"

For the government official, "the National Government might even ask the Regional Government for help because it has done so in the past; therefore, we will not be surprised if this happens."

José Contente also said we would not be surprised if "PSD would be pleased with this situation, because at this time PSD thinks it would be a good decision as it thinks that the National Government should not pay RTP-Açores. The Regional Government pays. The National Government does not pay the airports. The Regional Government pays. The Government does not pay the air fares. The Regional Government or even POSEI pays."

With regard to "this defence of the Azores, there is nothing more to be said," stated the Regional Secretary.

José Contente pointed out that "this matter should have been solved in 1995" and questioned "why 21.6 million Euros in EU funds are allocated to the Azores for a 27 million Euro project and PT is not even required to extend the installation of optical fibre cable to the 9 islands."

For the government official, "the original sin, whether they like it or not, is there and it is useless to hide this fact."